FdA

This course is offered as both a BA (Hons) and FdA. Students studying the FdA will have the option of progressing onto the final year of the BA (Hons) at the end of year 2.

Overview

In the increasingly competitive business environment, there is rising demand for creativity, innovation and uniqueness. This in turn has created a growing demand for businesses to be enterprising. Our Business Enterprise course has been developed in close partnership with industry experts to give you the business knowledge and work experience you need to advance in management positions throughout the enterprising service sector or set up your own business. This course gives you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of core business functions and activities and to appreciate how they work together in a contemporary global and digital business environment.

As it explores the basis of entrepreneurial activity, this course will develop your essential business and management skills so you can identify and respond to any type of business opportunity. It also allows you to apply theory to practice by undertaking live projects for local industry partners.

An important part of this course is giving you the opportunity to develop your own business plan as an option for your final year research project, with our industry partners contributing to your business development process.

Additionally, the course is dual accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), a recognised professional management body. If you successfully complete the Business Enterprise Foundation Degree or BA (Hons) Degree, you will also be eligible for a Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management from the CMI. You also gain CMI membership for up to five years which allows you access to a wide range of additional CMI learning resources to further support your studies. more information can be found here.

Why should I chose this course?

If you are thinking of beginning your career in the business industry or setting up your own business, this course will give you the knowledge and skills you need to succeed.

You will learn about the business environment as a whole and gain a thorough understanding of both traditional and contemporary business functions and practices.

It will enable you to develop the business-ready skills that employers are looking for from future graduates.

You will be learning from experienced lecturers and industry professionals through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, ‘real world’ simulations and guest lecturers.

You will learn how to evaluate the success of business activities through a range of innovative assessments including e-debates, academic posters, action plans and management reports.

You will receive a professional Award in Leadership and Management from the CMI.

Open days

Our open days are designed to give you as much information as possible about UCB and the areas you are interested in studying. Come along and we may make you an offer on the day.

"This programme has been designed with the need of today's businesses in mind. Students will acquire knowledge and skills that business needs to compete in today's globally-competitive world."

Jerry Blackett , CEO, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

"I can clearly see the theme of employability being developed across all the levels. I think these days it is so important to offer curriculum and provision that embeds employability skills. The programmes being proposed have a very strong practitioner focus and the right mix of theory to produce business-ready graduates."

Nadeem Yousaf, Regional Marketing Manager, IKEA Birmingham

Teaching & Assessment (NV)

Teaching & assessment

Teaching is carried out by appropriately qualified and experienced lecturers and in a typical week you will have up to 14 contact hours of teaching made up as follows:

Large group teaching - 5 hours of lectures in lecture room

Smaller group teaching - 7 hours of teaching in smaller groups discussing topics relevant to the modules. This will also include computer-based activities

Individual study

You will need to apportion approximately 20 hours per week of your own study time in preparation for lectures and preparing for and completing assessments. UCB Online provides 24 hour access to learning and support material.

Assessment

Assessment is designed to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your strengths in a number of ways and a variety of assessment methods are used. There is a strong focus on the vocational nature of this course including live project work and industry-based assignments.

An estimated breakdown of the assessment for this course is as follows:

Coursework - 70%

Practical assessment - 22%

Written examinations - 8%

Coursework could include: building professional portfolios; conducting situation and marketing analysis; and generating management reports and audits. Practical assessment could include: presentations (individual and group) and using creativity and problem-solving skills to generate business solutions.

Please note that the information provided above is indicative only and actual timetables and assessment regimes will be issued to students at induction.

Entry Requirements (NV)

Entry requirements

Business Enterprise BA (Hons)

Tariff: A minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points from at least two A Levels or equivalent BTEC qualifications.

Business Enterprise FdA

Tariff: A minimum of 56 UCAS Tariff points from at least one A Level or equivalent BTEC qualifications.

Non-tariff: Non-UCAS Tariff based Level 3 qualifications are also considered for entry.

Work-based: We also give equal consideration to applicants who are currently in work and wish to apply to UCB. To apply, you must have a minimum of 3 years’ relevant work experience, demonstrating management or supervisory duties. Your application must also include a reference from your line manager supporting your entry to higher education. For further details please contact Admissions.

Find out more information on tariff entry requirements for 2018/19 entry.

EU/international students

UCAS Tariff calculator

You can use our calculator below to convert your predicted/achieved grades into UCAS Tariff points.

If your total predicted/achieved points do not meet those outlined above or your qualification(s) do not appear on the UCAS Tariff please contact the admissions directly on 0121 604 1040 or email admissions@ucb.ac.uk

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Qualification

Grade

Points

Total

Modules (NV)

Modules

FdA students will study modules for years 1 and 2. Upon successful completion FdA students will have the option of progressing onto the final year.

Placements (NV)

Work placement

After completing the second year of this course, you will be given the opportunity to take a 48 week optional placement. If you choose to do so, you will be supported by our highly-experienced hired@UCB staff members who organise presentations and meetings with employers to help you identify the kind of placement you want. Whether your ideal work environment is overseas or somewhere in the UK, there is an extensive choice available.

At UCB, we understand the importance of work placements within academic study, and our employer contacts say they give preference to students with qualifications who also have experience within the field.

If you did well on your placement, there are additional opportunities available – such as recommendation for industry-supported mentoring schemes to guide you through your future career.

Employability (NV)

Employability

Upon successful completion of this course, previous students have started their own businesses, whilst others have developed careers in a wide variety of business sectors.

Graduating with this degree will enable you to pursue a career path in:

Business enterprise

Sales and marketing

Business development

Small business consultation

Product development

hired@UCB

hired@UCB is our student and alumni support service designed to provide a single reference point for information, advice and guidance regarding opportunities to develop and demonstrate employability and enterprise skills.

Based on the 7th floor of our Summer Row campus, the hired@UCB team comprises specialist and qualified staff with knowledge and experience of: